PowerStream Receives Award for Residential Solar-Storage Pilot

VAUGHAN, ON--(Marketwired - October 06, 2016) - PowerStream, as a result of operating a residential solar-storage pilot initiative referred to as POWER.HOUSE, has been honoured with an Energy Storage North America (ESNA) Innovation Award in the category of Distributed Storage Project at the organization's 2016 Innovation and Champion Awards held Wednesday in San Diego.

As the only Canadian-based company to have a project nominated for an award that in previous years has been presented to international organizations such as Wal-Mart, BMW and Solar City, PowerStream was recognized for its innovative integration of energy storage into the grid and positive impact on the energy storage industry. POWER.HOUSE was also the only electric utility project to receive a nomination. The final selection was based on the results of an online public vote in combination with a poll conducted among the ESNA advisory board.

Funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), POWER.HOUSE represents Canada's first Virtual Power Plant (VPP) using an aggregate fleet of 20 residential solar and battery storage systems located at customers' homes. All 20 systems can be autonomously controlled through intelligent software to simulate a single, larger power generating facility. The technology, which features a combination of rooftop solar PV panels and a lithium-ion battery installed behind the meter at customers' homes, helps to protect against power outages, off-sets peak hour electricity rates to provide significant reductions on bills and reduces impact during peak system demand, while delivering clean power directly to the customer.

Neetika Sathe, Vice President, Corporate Development, at PowerStream was also recognized by ESNA with the 2016 Champion Award for her leadership and exceptional achievement in advancing energy storage technology.

QUOTES

• "Earning an Energy Storage North America Innovation Award is a testament to our efforts in bringing new technologies to our customers that will provide them with more energy choices," said Maurizio Bevilacqua, PowerStream Board Chair and City of Vaughan Mayor. "POWER.HOUSE is another example of our commitment to sustainability and finding ways to help our customers better manage their electricity costs."
• "The individuals and organizations who received this year's ESNA Awards have each played a key role in advancing energy storage through impactful programs, projects, technologies or policies," said Janice Lin, Energy Storage North America Conference Chair. "Their work is transforming the energy storage ecosystem by opening up brand new markets and solving real world problems for customers and the grid. The strength of our nominees was unmatched in 2016, reflecting the continued growth and maturation of our industry."

BACKGROUND

• An array of solar panels, a 11.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a bi-directional meter were installed at the homes of each POWER.HOUSE pilot participant.
• In addition to the IESO, PowerStream also partnered with Sunverge Energy and Robertson Bright (RBI).

ABOUT ENERGY STORAGE NORTH AMERICA

Energy Storage North America is the largest conference, exhibition and networking event for the North American energy storage industry. Now in its fourth year, ESNA connects developers, energy users, utilities and policymakers to advance understanding and deployment of energy storage and ultimately build a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient grid.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 380,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.

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